Photos| Box Score Raptors Unfurl Banner | Highlights Quotes | Notes Luke Jackson Points: 30 RBs: 4 Assists: 5 ``It's a turning point for this franchise, and who better to play than the guy who helped build this place up?'' he said. The Sixers scored 18 second-chance points. Team RB ST BLK TOT TOR 33 8 3 44 PHI 41 4 5 50

April 18, 2007

TORONTO (CP) -- In the locker-room after Wednesday's regular-season finale, Chris Bosh peeked over the heads of reporters as he talked about the Toronto Raptors' 122-119 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and the impending playoffs.

He was watching a big-screen TV, where a jubilant Vince Carter had just led the New Jersey Nets to a 106-97 win over the Chicago Bulls and a date with the Raptors in the opening round of the playoffs.

Bring them on, said Bosh.

``I want to play Jersey. Honestly I really didn't care who we played, but now we know the matchup, I welcome it,'' said the Raptors all-star forward, who had 23 points and nine rebounds Wednesday.

Toronto and New Jersey split their four-game series this season, with the home team winning every time. That could bode well for the Raptors, who will have home-court advantage in the playoff series.

Luke Jackson scored a career-high 30 points to top Toronto on the last night of the regular-season.

But the Sixers, behind 37 points from Willie Green, spoiled the Raptors' chances at their best regular-season record in franchise history. Instead, they finished 47-35, tying their previous best set in 2000-'01 _ the same year Carter led the Raptors to the second round of the playoffs.

Now, in a matchup that's sure to turn Air Canada Centre into a madhouse, Carter will be back to try to play Raptors killer in Toronto's first playoff appearance in five seasons. And according to Carter's teammates, he's keen to do just that.

``Yeah, he wants it,'' Jason Kidd told the New York Post. ``And I'm right behind him (in support).''

Knowing all the history between Carter and the Raptors, Bosh welcomes the challenge.

``It's a turning point for this franchise, and who better to play than the guy who helped build this place up?'' he said.

Rookie Andrea Bargnani had 17 points Wednesday in his first game since an appendectomy sidelined him for 14 games. T.J. Ford finished with 15 points and 10 assists, while Anthony Parker added 14 points.

The Raptors and fans received an emotional boost before the game when their Atlantic Division championship banner was unfurled from the rafters of the ACC.

``We worked very hard this season to accomplish a lot of goals and that was one of our goals, and just to see the banner go up for the fans and this organization is a good feeling,'' said Bosh, who thanked the fans before the Atlantic Division championship banner was unfurled amid fireworks.

But the game itself was nothing to celebrate, as the Raptors looked shaky against a Sixers squad (35-47) that was already out of playoff contention.

The 76ers had an 11-point lead late in the first half and the score was tied 86-86 heading into the fourth quarter. The Sixers led by a point with just over two minutes to play before two three-pointers from Green put Philadelphia up 118-112 with 1:13 on the clock, and the Raptors couldn't recover.

``It's difficult when you're in this situation (with their playoff seed already clinched),'' said Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. ``Are they as focused as they should be?

``It's hard to complain offensively, just defensively and rebounding. Our guys are going to have to understand that we are going to have to play defence and rebound the ball to win in the playoffs.''

Mitchell spread out the minutes amongst his players in what he said was their last chance at a true scrimmage before they open the playoffs this weekend. Bosh and Parker, who didn't even dress the previous night at Detroit, played 36 and 31 minutes, respectively, and both were on the floor in the final few minutes as the Raptors tried in vain to steal a win.

Now, coming off two lacklustre performances, the Raptors say it's crucial they turn up the intensity.

``We'll watch film and make sure everybody understands that in the playoffs, it's a different game,'' said Ford.

Despite the outcome, Wednesday's finale was a feel-good night for Raptors fans. There were plenty of giveaways, and for the first time in recent memory, fans did ``The wave.''

Bargnani received a warm ovation when he entered the game, with 3:35 left in the first, and showed surprisingly little rust from his long layoff in his 28 minutes on the floor.

``Of course I'm very happy to be back, but of course I have to get back in shape because I'm very tired on the court. I'm really out of shape,'' said Bargnani.

The Raptors shot a decent 54 per cent on the night, but were outhustled by the Sixers, Philadelphia outrebounding Toronto 41-33.

Jackson made his second career start for Toronto and led the way with eight points in the first as the Raptors raced out to a 10-point lead midway through the frame. The Sixers finished the quarter with a 9-2 to cut the Raptors lead to 28-25 heading into the second.

The Raptors struggled in the second as the 76ers shot a sizzling 74 per cent in the quarter and went ahead by 11 with just under two minutes to go. Philadelphia led 64-57 at halftime.

Ford scored nine points in the third, his three-pointer at 5:58 putting the Raptors up 80-75. The Sixers wouldn't quit though, their 11-6 run making it an 86-86 game with a quarter left to play.

Notes: The game marked the 19th sellout at the Air Canada Centre this season. . . Raptors swingman Morris Peterson is listed as day to day after hyper-extending his right knee in Tuesday's 100-84 loss at Detroit. . . The Raptors had won the four previous meetings between these two teams.